The people of Russellville gathered together Tuesday to honor the memory of Russellville’s Jimmy Hood.

Hood, 54, passed away on May 23 when his three-wheeled bicycle collided with a tractor-trailer at the intersection of Weir Road and East Parkway Drive. Hood’s family and his many friends gathered at First Free Will Baptist Church in Russellville for a memorial service provided by Shinn Funeral Service. Officiated by Pastors Blaine Rogers and Noel Hubler, the service focused on Hood’s impact on those around him.

Noel Hubler, pastor at Russellville’s Church of the Nazarene, said Hood leaves a legacy of love and caring.

“Wherever Jimmy went, he livened up the place,” Hubler said. “What a nice wave he had, and such a nice big smile. He showed that no matter what is wrong, you can always push through and never let go of the positivity.”

Worship leader Dick Martin said Hood set an example that all people should strive to mimic.

“You couldn’t offend the guy. Nothing you did would make him angry,” said Martin. “No matter what happened, when it was time to part ways, he’d leave the same way every single time. He’d wave with is big wave and say, “Have a good day.” He was just a natural encourager.”

Blaine Rogers, pastor at First Free Will Baptist, said Hood had a unique ability to connect with people who he came in contact with.

“There’s a whole town out there. Russellville has 30,000 people,” Rogers said. “I may have never seen you, but Jimmy saw you. It didn’t matter who you were, Jimmy would still smile and wave like he was your best friend.”

During the service, Rogers read a brief message given to him by Billy Reynolds, who like Hood grew up with Cerebral Palsy. “I appreciate you being there for my brother,” Reynolds told Rogers. “He meant everything to me. He would carry me on his shoulders when I started to crawl. He’d help dress me and put me to bed. Thank you for all you’ve done.”

Hood, whose parents are unknown, was born in Nashville, Tenn., in 1959. He was raised in a foster home, and later moved to Russellville where he worked as a sign carrier at Little Caesars Pizza on North Arkansas Avenue for seven years. While there, Hood touched the lives of his fellow employees, such as former employee Katrina Gunter.

“I was dealing with depression for a while and somehow Jimmy got hold of my number and he wouldn’t stop calling me to check on me,” Gunter said. “He called every day. I would be there and he would just come up and pat me on the back and and say, “You’re such a good girl; your parent’s must be proud of you.””

Little Caesars manager Randy Lamar said Hood was “a good Christian man with high values and a strong work ethic.”

“Jimmy really affected people around him,” said Lamar said. “It’s hard to come up with words to describe him and his effect on others. He always rode his three-wheeled bike around, rain or shine, and there would be days when you’d just have to tell him to go home.”

Hood is survived by his fiancée, Patricia Sims of Russellville.

A fundraiser will be conducted Friday and Saturday by Little Caesars. For each crazy bread sold, Little Caesars will donate $1 to a fund for Hood’s fiancée.